Summary
Case Description: Two feline littermates were presented to the Auburn University Small Animal Clinic
at the age of approximately 10 weeks. Both cats had varus thoracic limb deformities
bilaterally and pelvic limb polydactyly.
Clinical Findings: Radiographs revealed bilateral radial hypoplasia (hemimelia), generalised cardiomegaly,
and pelvic limb polydactyly.
Treatment and Outcome: No treatment was instituted. Cardiopulmonary changes will be monitored periodically.
Clinical Relevance: The heritability of radial hemimelia has been suggested, but has yet to be proven.
In utero environmental causes (teratogens) are another possible cause of congenital
radial hemimelia. The presence of bilateral pelvic limb polydactyly, bilateral radial
hemimelia, and generalised cardiomegaly in feline littermates may offer more information
on the origins of this orthopaedic disorder and the potential undesirable results
that can occur when breeding polydactyl cats or cats affected by radial hemimelia.
